If you’ve ever used popular tools from Microsoft or Google – think Gmail, Word, Chrome, Outlook, Teams, or even Xbox Live– there’s a growing chance your personal data was shared without your permission.
Now, UK lawyers are investigating claims that Microsoft and Google may have used personal information to train their AI systems, without fully informing users or getting clear consent. If proven, this could amount to a serious breach of data protection laws – and those affected could be entitled to compensation.
What’s happening – and why it matters
From browser histories to documents stored in the cloud, data is a big part of how we all interact with technology. But that data is protected under UK law. It should only be used in fair, transparent ways – especially when it comes to powerful technologies like artificial intelligence.
Some lawyers now believe that Microsoft and Google may have fallen short of these obligations. And they’re preparing to hold them accountable.
For individuals, that means the chance to take legal action and claim compensation if their data was misused.
Am I affected?
If you’ve used any of the following, you may be eligible to make a claim:
- Microsoft products like Word, Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, Teams, Skype or Xbox
- Google services like Chrome, Gmail, Maps, Drive, YouTube or reCAPTCHA
You don’t need to have done anything unusual. In fact, the more common your use of these services, the more likely it is your data was included.
What could the compensation be?
Compensation could cover:
- The sharing of personal or financial information
- Emotional distress caused by data misuse
- Serious or repeated misuse across multiple areas of life
While every case is different, some UK lawyers estimate that affected individuals could be entitled to anywhere from £1,000 to £25,000, depending on the severity of the misuse and the kind of data involved.
Join the Claim connects consumers with SRA-regulated lawyers. Visit the claim page to check your eligibility if a claim is open with one of our trusted legal partners. If a group action has not yet been launched, you can register your interest and we’ll keep you informed if a partner firm decides to take a claim forward.
